Imprinting machine



M4, 1947'A wJaE'rzNER v2,416,707

`Imnmufm MACHINE Filed July 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 l Illlln INVENTOR ALBERT WMEfZ/VE 00OOOGOO0,00GOOGOOOO000:00 l

Mardi 4, y A. w. METZNER n IMPRINTING MACHINE Filed July 2o, 1942 v 4 sheets-Sheet s n zi.'- l ...Il ll INVENTOR ALBERT w/AffUNE/l?y 'A. w. MEjrzNER IMPRINTING MACHINE March 4, 19747I Filedquly 2O' 1942 www Patented Mar. 4,1947

Albert W. ,Metz'nen Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton. hio, a

corporationof Ohio application July z 0, 1.942. serial No'. 451,542

s claims. (01.101-93) This invention pertains to `writing and imprinting apparatus, including tabulating, billing and recording machines, and more particularly to imprinting means f or vautomatically producing vertical line rulings in optionally selected positions upon inscribed record sheetsand strips co incidental with the inscribing operation.

It is customary commercial practice to employ preprinted record forms which are ruled hori-V zontally and vertically to define writing positions in vertical columns wherein to "enter inscribed indicia. f

While the line spacings are arbitrarily determined by the record material feeding devices ofV the recording apparatus, with which the horizontal rulings must necessarily agree, the relative position and widths of thel vertical columns defined by vertical rulings may vary from time` to time in accordance with the character, extent and'arrangement of tabulations to be inscribed. Consequently, for conditions wherein it is necessary to frequently changerthe arrangement of tabulations and to change the size and relation of vertical columns, such standardized record` enables the preprinted use of stock forms of uni-` versal character for a wide variety of differentoptional arrangements of columns.

In the present development there is contemplated a series ofidenticalirnprinting type elements which may be mounted in anattachment or supplementary unit for a recording apparatus as'herein illustrated, or which are preferably incorporated in the recording apparatus atV the time of manufacture. These identical type elements are positioned to imprint short, vertical lines approximately one line space in length intermediate the usualletter and iigur'echaracters.`

The succeeding impressions of` any one of Such rule type elements in successive line space positions registers with and joins end to endor overlaps the preceding and succeeding vertical impressions to conjointly produce continuous vertical lines. Such vertical rule impressions lare produced-simultaneously `with adjacent letter or gure character impressions," but not with 'every such impression.

Means is incorporatedin the mechanism to op,`v

tionally enable ysimultaneous `imprinting ofrchar acters and vertical rule impressions, or character.

impressions without accompanying verticalrule imprints, ,orsuch vertical ruleimprints without accompanying character impressions. i j

By disabling vor rendering ineflectualgcertain rsel'ectedrule type elements, disposition of vertical` rule lines are enabled at any optionally deter-5l mined spaced intervals.` AAs aresult it is possible to inscribe upon a record sheet one'or a plurality of columns of numbers of any size, containing few `or manydigits, and continue the 'vertical rule de-,r ning'the column while inscribing the last digit y `of each number, orsuch vertical rule imprints maybe'effected intermediate any adjacent digits of the numbers as'between'those representing dollars and cents, or if desiredv between all ,the columns of digits,'thus 'effecting cross sectiony ruling in the squares of which the letter ligure characters appear.` The` apparatus is `thusof wide ilexibility, and enablestthe production of a great variety of inscribed forms,- without the necessity ofspecially prepared stationery. Stock stationery having desired:imprintedheadings and with or without horizontal line space rulingsmay'be employed for all different forms, and styles of tabulations, the columnar rulings for which are' optional and which are automatically produced during inscription of such formswithout vadditional operation. Q

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode` of operation of writing and rimprinting apparatus vby incorporating. optionally selective vertical ruling devices therein, which may be economically manufactured and incorporated, whereby` such apparatus will be moreefilcient and useful,

- automatic in operation, uniform inaction, having Vrelatively few additional parts, and be, unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of. the invention is tovprovide.

' operationally selective vertical ruling devicesv in a recording apparatus whichare automaticallyv operable coincidentally with recording apparatus. Y

A further object vof the invention is to`V improve tabulating andanalogous writing and imprinting the actuation of the apparatus by incorporatingtherein an additional imprintingtype bars material.

Y I. 3 A further object ofthe in a combined imprinting and line-ruling mechinvention is to provide 'i anism control means by which character imprinting and line rule imprinting can optionally .be performed simultaneously or either independently of the other. l

. A further object of the invention is to providea recording and line ruling-apparatus having the., -advantageous structuralfeatures andlinherenti meritorious characteristics andv the mode of op- Verationherein set forth; Y'

With the above primary and other incidental f objects in View asrwill more fully appearv in the L 4V other forms and styles The tabulating and character imprinting mechanism herein shownV and described forms no part, per se, of the present invention, except as the line `ruling devices are claimed in combination therewith, and hence the tabulating mechanism is herein referred to but brieily.

Referring to Fig. 1, the group of mechanism A at the right is a part of the conventional tabulator mechanism including the platen roller I to which the record material or stationery 2 is adspecication, the invention intended to vbe proi Y tected by Letters Patent consistsV ofl the features of Y companying drawings., Y l

In the drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, f

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional tabulating machine with which the liner ruling devices forming the'subject matter hereof have been incorporated,andshowing the latter adjusted to only;VA I

Fig. 2 is-a top and the vline rule typeelements. 'Y

Fig. 3 is a ,detail view of the imprinting devices adjusted for simultaneous character and'line rule Y imprinting.

Fig. 4-is a detail plan'view on line [4 4 of Fig.v 3.

Fig. 5 is aside elevation similar'to Fig. 3, showl ying the line rule imprinting devices retracted to inoperative position, permitting vcharacter im- 1 printing only.

pig, .6 is a detail plan view of the parts retracted position as in Fig. 5

r15 i construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, n as hereinafter described or illustrated in'nthe aceiect imprintingof the vertical rule plan view of theplaten roll Vand 'vanced over the paper guide 3, and about which it is advanced through step by step movement,

'incident to the line space operation of the platen roll il, past a, writing position 4 and thence dis- The stationery charged from the machine at 5.

as it enters the machine over the guide 3 may but obviously not necessarily the only form of inches.

Vtical lines or columnar rulings.

Fig. 7 isa detail front elevation in the plane 1 -1 of Fig. 3. p

Fig. 8 is a similar detail -elevation inthe plane 8,-8 of Fig. 5.'

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a packet of y stock stationery prior to inscription.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary viewof a portion of continuous form stationary after beingv inscribed and vertical line ruled.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the line rule elements in disassembled relation.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of adjusting means for the line type arms.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view illustrating Vi a modification of the line ruling devices.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters throughout the several' views.

For illustrative purposes, but with no intent to marginally punched stationery,Y although the latter is highly desirable for purpose of Ymaintaining registry and alignment, especially in production of closely inscribed tabulated forms. In proper size and modified form the invention ris appli- 1 cable to tabulators of other manufacture and. to

' mediate the type carriers. Y Y

A tabulator of the character illustrated is Y be merely blank sheets or strips. It may comprise cut forms or individual sheets of record material. However, it preferably comprises continuous strips of series connected detachable forms divisible upon transverse longitudinallyY spaced weakened lines into individual sheetseach of which forms'has a preprinted heading and is horizontally ruled to agree with the line'V spacing advancementfthereof by the machine.V If a pin I type feeding device is employed, thepmaterial is mai ginally or otherwise punched as at `6 for progressive engagement, of feeding pins.r Standard line "spacingsl are either one-sixth Aor one-third Such stationery is initially devoid of 'ver- However, as the Vstationery leaves the machine at l5 it contains both character or indicia imprints and selectively' spaced vertical rulings l which define the' 'columns' in which the characters areimprinted. The group of mechanism B at theleft of Fig.

1 is also a part ofthe conventional tabulating apparatus and is enclosed in aportion 1 ofthe Intermediate'lthey p groups A and B of mechanism is a vertically reciprocatorytype carrier 8'bearing a large num'- tabulating machine cabinet.

ber of alphabetical and numerical reciprocatory spring retracted type elements 9. There is a succession of reciprocatory type carriers 8, oneV for. each character to be imprinted, throughout the entire length of aninscribed line, which are arranged side by side opposite the platen roll. The standard lineal type spacings are iive thirty-sec,- onds of an inch. It will be understood that line space dimensions and lineal type spacing are in no way materialto the present invention.

Although the'reciprocatory type carriers 8V are uniformly spaced closely together, nevertheless in such machines as now constructed and those now in use, there is suilcient clearance between adja- A cent carriers to enable a thin, flatmovable type element,fthe terminal face of Awhich defines a short, Vertical line or bar, 4to be operated interpower driven `and automatically controlled by punched cards ortape to variously adjust different type carriers 8 ofY the plurality to present predeterminedtype elements in Yaligned sequence opposite theA imprinting position 4 of the platen roll.

A series of springactuated pivoted hammers |0- upon release forcibly drive the positioned type Vmembers against the record materialdisposed about the platen roll. The type hammers I0 are normally held in retracted position by a series of swinging detent arms ll, of whichthere is one for each hammer. The detent arms aredetach- I l of writing and imprinting apparatus, and is to be so understood.

. y ably connected by hook arms I2 with a swinging bar I3 carried by oscillatory'arms I4. ',Ihemovement of unselected type carriers into non-printing position trips a short lever I5 which in turn oscillates the hook arm I2 corresponding'to the particular type carrier to elevate it fromA engage.- ment with the swinging` frame bar I3. In the cycle of operation oi the tabulator, thea'rms I4 are oscillated in propersequence .with other movements to retract those hookarms I2 which have not been disengagechand s'o retract the detents of the corresponding type hammers I0, which thereupon impinge upon the positioned type members under influence' of actuating springs I6, while the hammers pertaining tothe .carriers of unused type remain in retracted positions. As an alternative means of maintaining the hammers I0 pertaining to unusedtype carriers ineffective, there is shown a spring detent linger I1 engageable in a notch I8 in thetoprof the corresponding hammer under influence ofa manu-r Mounted in brackets 2|) on the machine'cabinet` 1 is a shaft 2| disposed in parallel relation with the platen roll I. Journaled on the `shaftZI is a series of relatively spaced oscillatory arms 22 separated by spacer collars 23. There is one arm 22 for each typecarrier kil. Each arm 22 is formed with an integral stopfln'ger lengageend of the slide 29 thus transmits motion and pressurek of the type hammer IQ to the swinging rule type member 21 and swings with the type member as the latter is forced against the record material., Figs. 1, 3 and 5 vof the drawings illus- Y trate alternative yadjustments of the line rule` parts to produce respectively, a line rule imprint only, line rule and character type imprints simultaneously, or a character imprint only.

In Fig. l thelowerend of the coupler slide 29 being'interposed between the line rule member 21 and the hammer'ID receives and transmits the impact of the latter to the line rule member 21,Y

which is thrust against the record material overlying the platen I, to produce avertical line impression. The combined dimensions of the couplerslide 29 and the line rule .imprinting memable with a bar 25 interconnecting the mounting brackets 29 when the arm is in its advancedor` operative position, as shown in Figs. vl and 3. y

Pivot-ily supported von a stud 26 carried by each of the arms 22 is an oscillatory line rule type element 21 for swinging movement against the positioned record material. Each rule type member 21 is yieldingly held in its retracted position by a spring finger 28 which bears upon a flat stud 26. Slidingly mounted on the swinging type member 21 for'independent reciprpcatory movement relative thereto but for' unison swinging motion is a coupler slide 29. The coupler slide has therein a dumb-bell shaped slot 30 through the upper enlarged portion of which the pivotal stud 26 Carried by the arm 22 extends. Journaledin the oscillatoryy line type member 21 and extending through the dumb-bell slot 30 below the pivotal'stud 26 isa flattened rock stud 3|, to which is attached a finger lever 32. When the finger lever 32 is in its depressed position, to which it will fall bygravity, the flattened stud 3| is transversely disposed within the lower enlargement of the slot as in Fig. 3 to lock the coupler slide 29 in its elevated position relative to the line rule type 21'. When however, the attened stud is turned into vertical position by elevation of the linger lever 32, the slide 29 maybe depressed until the lower,A end of the slide 29` will substantially agree with the lower rear extremity of the swinging linev rule type member, as shown in Fig. 1 and also in Fig. 5. The coupler slide is laterally offset at itslower end, whereby its extremity will extend into the plane ofl theline rule type member 21 andr when depressed into the path of the corresponding type hammer Ill. The lowery terminal of the type element above its pivotal ber 21 is sulllcient to hold the hammer I0 out of contact engagement with a positioned character type 9. In Fig. 3.the vcouplerslide 29 is shown elevated out of the path to the impact hammer I0 which `isgsnuiliciently `Wide to simultaneously engage vboththe line rule element 21 and a character type 9 positioned in imprinting position, to

drive both members against therecord material and produce both a character and a vertical line imprint. In Figl the entire line rule imprinting assembly is shown retracted to inoperative relation so that the advancing hammer ID operatively engages only a character type'to 'produce a character imprint only. 1 f

The coupler slide 29 is formed with a finger hold or extension 33 at its upper end',v and its rear margin isformed with an' arcuate -wing 34 contoured to agreefwith the periphery vof the i When a line vrule impressionspacer collar23. is to be producedl simultaneously with a letter or lgure character, the finger lever 32 is elevated to .vertically align the attened'stud and the coupler slide `29 may be manually elevated from its Fig. 1 position to. that of Fig. 3 which -withdraws it from the path of the hammer I0, and allows the latter to strike against both the swinging line type member 21'land 'the reciprocatory letter or figure type member 9. Il?V it be desired to imprint a vertical linel impression unaccompanied by a. character impression, upon turning the attener stud 3| into .alignment with the neckv of the dumb-bell slot the coupler slide may Y l be depressed` to the Fig,v l position, where, as before mentioned,` it receives the impact of the hammer I0 before the latter canreach a character type element 9 and prevents such contact. I

When it is desired to omit entirely the line rule andv effect a letter or gure type impression only, the line rule member 2-1 is bodily displaced to inoperative position shown inFig. 5; To do so, the coupler slide 29 ismanually lifted until ythe flattened stud 3| enters the enlarged lower end of the slot 30, whereupon. the fingerlever 32 falls by gravity and turns the attened `stud transversely of the slot, thereby locking the slide 29 in its retracted position, asis shown inV liig.v 3. VThe supporting arm 22 is then oscillated to a substantially upright position, as isshown in Fig. 5, andthe linger lever 32 being elevated to align the vflattened, stud with the slot 30, the coupler slidev 29 ls manually depressed to a position wherein the ,arcuate wing` portion 34 engages about-the spacer collar 23 to temporarilyy lock the `line rule parts' inv inoperative position,r

heretofore described apparatus, nor interfere with its operation. By

taking Vadvantage of the relative spacing ofthe type carriers, it is adapted to be installed on existing machines in the form illustrated rin the drawings, although it may -be otherwise incor` porated in the machine at the time of its manu*-l facture.v The positions and relative spacing of I need be givenvto the present line rule mechanism unti1 it becomes necessary to reset it for oper` ating upon a series of differently sheets. 'Y

In lieu ofy imprintingsuccessive short line rules in end to end sequence to form continuous verplurality of predetermined character 'imprinting elements are automaticallyaligned in printing position for Vengagement with-record material pro- Y gressively advanced past an imprinting position wherein it receives successive lineal impressions of aligned imprinting elements under impact influenceA of a series ofv'operating members, one for ruled 4record' tical line rules, a -scriberv or point 35 may be provided on the extremity of the member 21 for continuous engagement with the record material,

Ias shown in Fig. 13. vThe marking member 21 in such event is spring urged into engagement with the record material by a spring 36. The marking members 21 being positioned intermediate the type carriers 8, as before described. and their scriber points 35 beingmaintained in engagementl withL the record material by the springs 36, continuous vertical lines or rules will be impressed thereon as the platen roll by'its s rotation advances the record material 'past the recording position and the'scriber or marking point 35.- The marking members 21 are pro..` vided withfnger levers 31 by which individual members may be manually retracted when not desired for use.

Detents 38 lserve to-releas'ablyV retain the un`v desiredand unused line ruling devices -in their retracted positions against the tension' of their pressure applying springs. In such modied con-l struction the optionally 'selected ruling members, once released from the detent 31 remain in constant operative engagement with the record ma,-v terial and continue to impress line rulings thereon, until again manually retracted. The Operative pressure of the springsv 36is adjusted to` Vsufficiently impress a line mark through the ink ribbon and transfer material if used, butfn'ot to afford such pressure as will interfere with thel feeding of the ink ribbon or advancement ofthe record material.' n

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the char-` acter described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, `butwhich obviously issusceptible of modiiication in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of partswithout departingv from the 'principle involved or sacriicing any of its advantages.YV Y Y While in order to comply with the statuteI the invention has been describedV in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specic features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the invention into effect, and the invention'is therel fore claimed in any of its forms o r modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the apl pended claims.

Having thus described my invention,I claim: 1. rA recording apparatus of the type wherein a each characterA imprinting element, including a plurality of optionally selective vertical line im printing elements arranged in alternating relation with the character imprinting elements,v an adjustable supporting means for the line printing elements by which thesaid line printing elements may be individually bodily shifted into and out of imprinting position in which they are engageable by an impatcharacter imprinting element koperating member simultaneously with its impact engagement with an imprinting element, for roptionally effecting `simultaneous character and line imprinting operations or character imprinting Voperations only, coupler members"indi` vidually bodily movable into and out of positions in the paths of the impact operating members for transmitting the impact thereof to corresponding line imprinting elements independently' of the corresponding character imprinting elements to which said impact operating members pertain to eifect line imprinting operations only.

2. A recording apparatus of the type wherein a` plurality of predeterminedV character imprinting elements are automatically aligned in printing po:

sition for engagement with record material pro.- gressively advanced past an imprinting position wherein it receives successive lineal impressions of aligned imprinting elements under influence of individual impact operating devices for the char.- acter'imprinting elements, including a plurality of vertical line imprinting elements operative between different adjacent character imprinting elements, the respective character imprinting element operating devices being common to an adjacent line imprinting element for effecting simultaneous imprinting engagement of the character imprinting elements and certain optionally selected vertical line imprinting elements and se' lective means for rendering the common operating devices ineffective to operate a character imprint-V ing element or a line imprinting element at will.V I

3. A recording apparatus, wherein a succession of characters are imprinted in lineal series uponV a record sheet, including a series of line imprinting elements operative to impress vertical lineV imprints upon the record sheet intermediate selected character imprints, actuating means therefon aY supporting shaft, a series of independently adjustable oscillatory arms upon the shaft to which the rline .imprinting elements are pivoted for in-f and adjustable relative thereto into and out of the path of the line imprinting elementv loperating means foroptionally transmitting operative action of the actuating means'to the line printing elements or alternately permitting direct engagement of the actuating means therewith.

4. A line imprintingmechanism for a recordthe oscillatory supporting arm and adjustable independently of the line imprinting member into f alternate positions relative thereto, and means for temporarily engaging the slide in its alternate positions of adjustment to accordingly effect op@ apparatus, wherein a pluralityfof character imprinting elements are presented in aligned'relation and actuated into imprinting engagement witha re'cord material by relatively movable pressure applying means engageable with the character imprinting elements, including a plurality of independently operable'line imprinting element` operative intermediate adjacent character imprinting elements under influence of the said pressure apply ingA means to imprint vertical line segments upon the record material intermediate succeeding character imprints, means for independently adjusting the line imprinting elements intov and out of imprinting position, and a control z member adjustable into and out of relation with v1o said pressure applying means'to temporarily protect a selected character imprinting element from operative engagement of the pressure applying means therewith while said' pressure applying means exerts its influence upon an adjacent' line printing element.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the' ille ofz this patent: v v

.UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,585,166 Nash May 18,1926 1,968,386 Gubelman July 31, 1934 2,093,529 Tauschek Sept. 21, 1937 940,758 Wales Nov. 23, 1909 1,065,792 Ellis June 24, 1913 1,197,277 Ellis -1 Sept. 5, 1916 1,359,231 Corell Nov;.16, 1920 2,129,762 Harrison Sept. 13, 1938 1,944,675 Tauschek Jan. 23, 1934 ALBERT W. METZNER,4 

